How to Make Apple Pie - Easy Apple Pie Recipe

 

   Apple pie is a classic dessert made with a filling of spiced apples, sugar, and sometimes a touch of lemon juice, all baked within a flaky pastry crust. It's often associated with American cuisine, symbolizing comfort and tradition. 

Apple pie is typically served warm, often with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The dessert's variations include different types of crusts, such as lattice or crumb, and a variety of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice to enhance the flavor of the apples.

Ingredients:

For the Pie Crust:

- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 teaspoon sugar

- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

- 6-8 tablespoons ice water

For the Apple Filling:

- 6-8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced thin

- ¾ cup sugar

- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice

- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the Topping:

- 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream (for brushing the crust)

- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for sprinkling on top)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.

2. Add the chilled, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, blend the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter.

3. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough starts to come together. Do not overmix.

4. Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days).

Step 2: Make the Apple Filling

1. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss to coat the apples evenly. Set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Pie

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to fit a 9-inch pie dish, leaving an overhang of about 1 inch. Transfer the dough to the pie dish.

3. Pour the apple filling into the crust, mounding it slightly in the center.

4. Dot the filling with small pieces of butter.

5. Roll out the second disk of dough to cover the top of the pie. You can place it as a whole or cut it into strips to create a lattice pattern.

6. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges to seal.

7. Brush the top crust with milk or heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar, if desired.

Step 4: Bake the Pie

1. Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

2. If the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

3. Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before serving. This helps the filling set.

Step 5: Serve

Slice the apple pie and serve it warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Enjoy your homemade apple pie!